Various Artists

Let's Play Chess: A Chess Records Anthology is a new 2LP set offering 25 of the label's most essential tracks from Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, and others. The set is curated by eminent drummer Steve Jordan, a known appreciator of the Chess legacy. The versatile percussionist cut his teeth playing in the house band for Saturday Night Live, and was plucked alongside a murderer's row of session legends to keep the beat when cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd started covering Chess sides and soul favorites as The Blues Brothers. He also served in the backing band for the all-star 1987 concert film Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll and has been a longtime collaborator with Keith Richards of Chess disciples The Rolling Stones - and when longtime drummer Charlie Watts elected to sit out of the last leg of the Stones' No Filter Tour in 2021 shortly before his passing, he picked Jordan to take over his stool. Jordan has also penned liner notes for the collection sharing his lifelong personal appreciation for the music of Chess and its many backing musicians (who are credited in the gatefold).  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.​